An aging knight, two fiery lovers,
some gypsies and a whole lot of fun

Don Quixote is on a quest: to find the idealised beloved of his age-addled dreams. The mettlesome lovers Kitri and Basilio are also on a quest: to end up together, despite Kitri’s father and his plans for her to marry the richest fop in town. Their paths meet; and after a storm, a vision, much high-jinks and a little emotional blackmail, ballet’s funniest happy ending is achieved. Reinvented by Rudolf Nureyev for The Australian Ballet, and with plenty of classical pyrotechnics, Don Quixote is a benchmark for dancers. This ballet is a tonic, and a must for first-timers and children.

ACT 1

Scene 1: The house of Don Quixote
Don Quixote, an eccentric yet noble old gentleman, sits at his desk reading a book of tales of brave knights and beautiful ladies. He becomes deluded, believing that he is the successor of the medieval knights-errant and envisages his Dulcinea, the lady of his dreams. He vows to protect her. His fantasy ends abruptly with the return of his servant Sancho Panza, being chased by maids from whom he has stolen a chicken. But Don Quixote quickly resumes his thoughts of Dulcinea and promotes Sancho Panza to the position of his squire and together they set out in search of chivalrous adventure.

Scene 2: The Port of Barcelona
Kitri is searching the crowded port for her lover Basilio, a gallant but poor young barber. They meet happily in the square but her father, the innkeeper Lorenzo, tries to force her to marry Gamache, as he is a rich nobleman. The townsfolk take part in festivities which are interrupted by the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Lorenzo offers the old knight hospitality at his inn but Sancho Panza suffers some rough teasing from the crowd until his master rescues him. Watching Kitri dancing with Basilio, Don Quixote becomes entranced by her beauty and believes that she is Dulcinea, the lady of his dreams and invites her to dance with him. The port becomes congested as the townsfolk dance and in the confusion, Kitri and Basilio run away together to get married. Lorenzo and Gamache set out in pursuit, followed by Don Quixote with his squire, all of whom are bent on setting wrongs to right.

ACT 2

Scene 1: The Plain of Montiel
Kitri and Basilio find shelter in a secluded spot under a windmill, but are captured by a troupe of gypsy players. When they prove to the gypsies they have nothing of value, they alert them to the imminent arrival of Lorenzo and Gamache in exchange for protection. When the pair arrive, they are robbed. The lovers plot with the gypsies to deceive the old knight and set him against Lorenzo and Gamache. But the plans go astray when Don Quixote is distracted by the windmills, which he mistakes for monsters. He attacks them but with unhappy results. The gypsies laugh at his misfortune while the lovers escape, with Lorenzo and Gamache in hot pursuit.

Scene 2: Dulcinea’s garden
Half unconscious from his injuries, Don Quixote imagines that he has been transported to a magic garden. As a reward for his valour and faithfulness, the Queen of the Dryads brings to him the grateful Dulcinea and he declares his love for her. His dream world fades and Don Quixote continues his quest for the lady of his visions.

ACT 3

A tavern outside the town
Kitri and Basilio are celebrating their reunion together with their friends when they are discovered by Lorenzo and Gamache, who are still being followed by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Lorenzo is determined to marry his daughter to the wealthy Gamache. In desperation, Kitri and Basilio decide to try playing a last trick. Basilio pretends to stab himself in jealous despair, while Kitri implores Don Quixote for help. Remembering his vow to right a wrong, he forces Lorenzo to bless the lovers, convinced that Basilio is dying. Gamache is furious and challenges the Don to a duel but is defeated. As the lovers are united, Basilio makes a miraculous recovery – their scheme has worked. Don Quixote, having succeeded in righting a wrong, realises that he needs to continue on with his quest. Valiantly he sets out once more to perform deeds of chivalry to protect his beloved Dulcinea.